Friday, October 31, 2003

"NANOSCALE: Logic and memory shown on molecular scale"
Rice University researchers have demonstrated that molecule-sized electronic devices can be used for both logic and memory, despite being randomly wired, error-prone and inaccurately formed at the nanoscale, according to Rice University professor James Tour, who said his work demonstrates that today's chip makers can achieve increases of two to three orders of magnitude in chip density by leveraging the lithographic tools they already have to form random-access addresses into arrays of nanoscale molecular memories.
Audio Interviews / Interviews on CDText: http://www.eetimes.com/story/OEG20031031S0022

"NANOTECH: Nanosprings breakthrough shrinks size of sensors"
Quantum dots, nanowires and other nanoscale structures populate the frontier of semiconductor research, collectively aimed at downsizing chip components to the molecular scale. So far piezoelectric materials have been used to fabricate nanowires and nanobelts (ring-shaped nanowires) for experimental nanoscale lasers, field-effect transistors, gas sensors, cantilevers and resonators. But none of these have been "single crystal" and therefore only partially exploit the piezoelectric phenomenon, according to one research scientist, who now claims to have fabricated the world's first single-crystal nanosprings that not only outperform predecessors but also promise to enable single-molecule sensors.
Audio Interviews / Interviews on CDText: http://www.eetimes.com/story/OEG20031030S0059

"CHIPS: Hybrid tunnel diodes could leapfrog Moore's Law"
Semiconductor researchers have known since the 1950s that the quantum-confinement effects of tunnel diodes boost circuit speed and current handling while reducing component count and power consumption. But processing difficulties long confined tunnel diodes to exotic materials and discrete devices. Now some researchers say a new CMOS-compatible tunnel diode process could extend the lifetime of existing silicon fabs by leapfrogging the next node in the semiconductor road map (as defined by Moore's Law). Silicon-integratable tunnel diodes might also provide enough current density to allow telecom radiofrequency components to be moved off separate-and costly-gallium-arsenide chips and onto silicon, allowing one-chip cell phone solutions.
Audio Interviews / Interviews on CDText: http://www.eetimes.com/story/OEG20031029S0015

"MUSIC: EEG brain cap detects musical creativity"
Music researchers report making strides toward a modern-day "brain cap" that can detect and recognize musical ideas in the minds of composers with up to 99 percent accuracy. Eduardo Reck Miranda, head of computer music research and leader of the neuroscience-of-music group at the University of Plymouth, England, recently reported up to 99 percent accuracy in recognizing specific electroencephalogram patterns for musical ideas using a 128-electrode EEG brain cap with signal-processing algorithms including three neural networks
Audio Interviews / Interviews on CDText: http://www.eetimes.com/story/OEG20031020S0090

"QUANTUM: Key to new security alliance is quantum"
Uncrackable encryption based on quantum-key distribution could soon come to a network near you. Two Swiss companies last week joined hands with a trade organization in pledging to create the infrastructure necessary for worldwide distribution of unbreakable quantum keys. Id Quantique SA, World Internet Secure Key (WiseKey) SA and the International Organization for the Security of Electronic Transactions an-nounced a partnership at the ITU Telecom World 2003 conference in Geneva. Id Quantique will supply the hardware, WiseKey the secure-key repository and the nonprofit organization-which is known as OISTE, its French acronym-the certification and registration authorities worldwide. All three are headquartered in Geneva.
Audio Interviews / Interviews on CDText: http://www.eetimes.com/story/OEG20031020S0054

Monday, October 13, 2003

"LABS: In Sharp Labs, quest is always tomorrow's tech"
Sharp Laboratories of America aims to turn your TV into a Web-surfing, news-gathering, sports-summarizing, on-demand movie viewing, e-mail center. As the beachhead for U.S. imports from Japan's $20 billion Sharp Corp., Sharp Labs also has designs on your cell phone, video recorder, document-imaging system and more. Sharp decided last year to ditch CRTs after estimating that LCD-based televisions, including the company's LCTV brand, could account for as much as 45 percent of the worldwide market by 2004. To cash in, Sharp Labs began developing technologies to differentiate its LCTVs as uniquely capable for U.S. viewing needs.
Audio Interviews / Interviews on CDText: http://www.eetimes.com/story/OEG20031013S0048

Tuesday, October 07, 2003

"OPTICS: Analog CMOS chip mimics the retina of an octopus"
Neophyte scuba divers tend to expect underwater vistas akin to those in tropical-island brochures-bright, clear water, filled with colorful fish. The harsh reality is that most underwater scenes are poorly lit at best, with the norm being dark, monotone and murky. To compensate, the octopus' visual system has adapted to spotting prey in the worst waters. Indeed, who would be a better model for a low-visibility vision system than an animal that, when attacked itself, sprays its own low-visibility "ink"? Accordingly, researchers sponsored by a National Science Foundation effort are intent on imparting the vision abilities of an octopus to undersea autonomous robots. By mimicking the octopus' ability to see well underwater with an analog silicon octopus retina ("o-retina"), the University of Buffalo group believes it can revolutionize space and undersea exploration, and improve visibility in hazardous environments and hard-to-reach places such as underground pipes
Audio Interview / Interview on CDText: http://www.eetimes.com/story/OEG20031006S0057

By R. Colin Johnson

Lastest Book:

Cognitive computers—cognizers—aim to instill human-like intelligence into our smartphones, tablets and other electronic devices using microchips that emulate the human brain. Dubbed the “Future of Computing” by the NYTimes, one of the “Best Innovation Moments of 2011” by the Washington Post and one of “10 World Changing Ideas” in a Scientific American cover story “A Computer Chip that Thinks” this book reveals how neuroscience and computer science are merging in a new era of intelligent machines light-years beyond Apple's Siri, IBM's Watson.

About the Author:

Next-generation electronics and technology news stories published non-stop for 20+ years, R. Colin Johnson's unique perspective has prompted coverage of his articles in a diverse range of major media outlets--from the ultra-liberal National Public Radio (NPR) to the ultra-conservative Rush Limbaugh Show.